Friendly disclaimer! We want to be as accurate as possible, but given these challenging times, we urge you to recheck that the venues are open when you decide to visit.
Barcelona represents all that is fancy and amorous about the sunny Spanish climate and its languorous beaches. In just a few decades, the city has transformed from a rough port city to one of Europe’s sought after destinations. Stroll along La Rambla, admire the Casa Calvet’s façade, or visit the Market of La Boqueria – you are bound to make some unforgettable memories in the city’s many delightful haunts.
Casa Vicens
The more recent of Gaudí’s many projects to be opened to the public is the Casa Vicens. Built between 1883 and 1885 and declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005, Casa Vicens was the first house designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Located in the bohemian district of Gràcia, this bold project, commissioned as a summer house, combines elements of nature into a chaotic and yet peaceful retreat.
Useful Info:
- Location: Carrer de les Carolines 20-26, Barcelona
- Website: www.casavicens.org
- Timings: Monday 10:00 – 15:00. Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 19:00.
National Art Museum of Catalonia
The Museu nacional d’art de Catalunya, MNAC for short, hosts many temporary exhibits through the year, but it is also known for for its Romanesque collection of mural paintings. Here, you can also find pieces like Gaudi’s furniture or illustration from Casas and other artists of the Catalan Modernism.
Useful Info:
- Location: Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, Barcelona
- Website: www.museunacional.cat/en
- Timings:
- October to April: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 18:00. Sunday & Public Holidays 10:00 – 15:00.
- May to September: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 20:00. Sunday & Public Holidays 10:00 – 15:00.
Parc de L’Espanya Industrial
The park has evoked polarising opinions for its design and a whimsical combination of classical sculptures and modernist elements. A re-invention of a former steam-powered mill, it is worth a gander if you happen to be in the area.
Useful Info:
- Location: Carrer de Muntadas 1, Barcelona
Parc del Laberint
Designed in 1792, this parc surrounds Torre Soberana, a 14th-century country house redecorated in the Arabesque style. Wander the garden’s lavish maze and romantic gardens to discover sculptures of mythological figures and a hidden waterfall.
Useful Info:
- Location: Passeig dels Castanyers, 1, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Website: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/537/parc-del-laberint.html
- Timings: Daily 10:00 – 20:00
Beaches: Mar Bella & de Bogatell
Two of Barcelona’s most popular beaches, Mar Bella and Bogatell, are just a few minutes apart. Mar Bella is a naturist and LGBTQ-friendly beach, while Bogatell is known for volleyball and sunbathing. Both are located within walking distance of trendy bars and restaurants.
Serra de Collserola Natural Park
The largest metropolitan park in the world (85 km2) is a tranquil parkland just 15 km from central Barcelona. Nestled in a mountain range, this park teems with biodiversity and is home to over 190 species. Explore crumbling Roman and Gothic ruins such as cottages, castles and even an Iberian village.
Useful Info:
- Location: Ctra. de l’Església, 92, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
- Website: https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/527/parc-de-collserola.html
- Timings: Daily 09:30-15:00
Street Art Tours
Explore the colourful and gritty streets of El Raval, Barcelona’s hip alternative neighbourhood. Guides will point out street art to give you an overview of the city’s distinct culture. Prominent sights include a famous mural by New York artist Keith Haring, some 400 year old graffiti, and Barcelona’s biggest Urban Art Gallery where you may bump in to artists at work.
Useful Info:
- Location: El Raval, Barcelona, Spain
- Website: https://www.airbnb.ie/experiences/82864?location=Barcelona
Flamenco Dance Classes
Flamenco originates in Andalusia, a region with a strong presence in Barcelona. Some of the world’s best-known Flamenco dancers hail from here, and it’s the perfect place to learn the basics of this much-loved cultural tradition. Numerous providers offer classes suitable for different groups and budgets.
La Sagrada Família
Antoni Gaudi’s ambitious project remains, as of today, unfinished, which by no means takes away from its popularity – at nearly 3 million yearly visitors, La Sagrada Familia is Spain’s 2nd most visited monument. The masterpiece was crafted meticulously to embody the Christian faith through composition, sculpture, and individualistic, offbeat design. Guided and audio tours available.
Useful Info:
- Location: Carrer de Mallorca 401, Barcelona
- Website: www.sagradafamilia.org
La Rambla
Barcelona’s most well-known street is not just one uninterrupted stretch but five (hence it being known as “Las Ramblas”), each containing attractions of their own. A pedestrian-only walkway runs through the street’s central section, with street artists, souvenir vendors, bars and restaurants competing for visitor attention.
Useful Info:
- Location: La Rambla, Barcelona
Casa Mila
Another one of Gaudi’s unconventional architectural creations, Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera (“quarry”, for its wacky appearance distantly resembling an actual quarry), is one of Barcelona’s primary attractions. Entry tickets include a free audio guide.
Useful Info:
- Location: Passeig de Gràcia 92, Barcelona
- Website: www.lapedrera.com
- Timings:
- November 4th – February 27th: Monday – Sunday 9:00 – 18:30. Night tours 19:00 – 21:00.
- February 28th – November 4th: Monday – Sunday 9:00 – 20:30. Night tours 21:00 – 23:00.
Park Güell
In this park with stunning views over the city you can admire several impeccable works of Gaudi. Actually, the entire park is designed by the artist himself. Statues and buildings in different colours and shapes stand side by side and the park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Useful Info:
- Location: Carrer d’Olot, Barcelona
- Website: www.parkguell.barcelona/en?q=en
- Timings:
- February 15th – March 28th Monday – Sunday 8:30 – 18:00.
- March 29th – April 26th Monday – Sunday 8:00 – 19:30.
- April 27th – August 23rd Monday – Sunday 7:30 – 20:30.
- August 24th – October 24th 8:00 – 19:30.
- October 25th – December 31st 8:30 – 17:30.
Casa Batllo
Once Gaudi got his hands on this previously unremarkable building in Passeig de Gràcia, it was never to be simply passed by again. Fascinatingly idiosyncratic and almost beast-like on the outside, it continues to amaze from within with twisted lines and elements that could only be thought up by the genius of Gaudi.
Useful Info:
- Location: Passeig de Gràcia 43, Barcelona
- Website: www.casabatllo.es
- Timings: Daily 9:00 – 20:00.
Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum has one of the most extensive art collections by the 20th century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. The permanent collections contain more than 3,800 works, and this is one of the most popular and most visited museums in Barcelona.
- Location: Carrer Montcada 15, Barcelona
- Phone: +44 871 2222 001
- Website: www.museupicasso.bcn.es
- Timings: Tuesday – Sunday 9:00 – 19:00. Thursday 9:00 – 21:30.
Poble Espanyol Architectural Museum
Located in one of the most emblematic areas of Barcelona within walking distance from the Montjuïc Fountains, Poble Espanyol is one of the most attractive sites of the city for it unique setting, featuring architecture from across Spain, contemporary art, crafts, shopping and gastronomy. All this in a peaceful environment, ideal for children and adults.
Useful Info:
- Location: Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 13, Barcelona
- Website: www.poble-espanyol.com
- Timings: Monday 9:00 – 20:00. Tuesday – Thursday 9:00 – 0:00. Friday 9:00 – 3:00. Saturday 9:00 – 4:00.
Plaça Reial
Plaça Reial, a beautiful square and one of Barcelona’s busiest, most vibrant spots (especially so at night), is known for its many outdoor venues, restaurants and nightclubs. During the summer, it becomes an even more popular meeting place when open air concerts take place. Stroll around or sit down with a tasty drink at one of the bars and just enjoy the moment.
Useful Info:
- Location: Plaça Reial, Barcelona
Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site
Sant Pau is Barcelona’s new wonder. The world’s largest Art Nouveau site has been restored and invites you to enjoy one of the most emblematic works of architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, Sant Pau is a city within a city, 12 buildings of great architectural value surrounded by gardens where history and architecture exist side by side.
Useful Info:
- Location: Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, Barcelona
- Website: www.santpaubarcelona.org
- Timings:
- November to March: Monday – Saturday 9:30 – 17:30. Sunday 9:30 – 15:30.
- April – October: Monday – Saturday 9:30 – 19:00. Sunday 9:30 – 15:00.
Camp Nou
FC Barcelona is much more than just a football club. Sometimes it feels as if it carries the whole nation’s pride on its shoulders. Even those not interested in football will enjoy a visit to this grandiose stadium. One reason is the large number of well-dressed spectators, another the masterful architecture of the arena.
Useful Info:
- Location: Carrer d’Aristides Maillol 12, Barcelona
- Website: www.fcbarcelona.com/en/tickets/camp-nou-experience/timetable
MACBA
Leave the busy streets behind you for a moment and visit Barcelona’s museum of modern art. MACBA is short for Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, and showcases Spanish and Catalonian art from the 20th century.
Useful Info:
- Location: Plaça dels Àngels 1, Barcelona
- Website: www.macba.es
- Timings: Monday – Friday 11:00 – 19:30. Saturday 10:00 – 20:00. Sunday & Public Holiday 10:00 – 15:00. Closed on Tuesdays.
Palau de la Música Catalana Concert Hall
This sublime concert hall designed by Domènech i Montaner a hundred years ago is not quite as wacky as some of Gaudi’s architecture. It is actually more representative of Modernism. The Palace of Catalan Music not only pays tribute to the musical heritage of the Catalans but to all music—as well as beauty, colour and joy.
Useful Info:
- Location: Palau de la Música 4-6, Barcelona
- Website: www.palaumusica.org
Santa Maria del Mar
Barcelona’s most beautiful church is probably the best existing example of the Catalonian Gothic, with a cleaner style than normally associated with Gothic architecture. The church has a wonderful feeling of spaciousness and weightlessness emphasized by slender pillars and very sparsely decorated chapels.
Useful Info:
- Location: Plaça de Santa Maria 1, Barcelona
- Website: www.santamariadelmarbarcelona.org
Aquarium de Barcelona
The sharks are the stars at this Mediterranean themed aquarium, but you will be able to see almost all different kinds of marine species here. The Aquarium is situated at the end of Las Ramblas and is very close to the city centre. When here, make sure not to miss the tunnel where you can spot stingrays, sharks and many other fish swimming around and above you.
Useful Info:
- Location: Moll d’Espanya del Port Vell, Barcelona
- Website: www.aquariumbcn.com/en/
- Timings: Monday – Sunday 10:00 onwards
Barcelona Zoo
In the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella is a very well-maintained zoo with over 7,000 animals representing 400 different species. Spend a perfect day here with your family and discover animals like the lions, leopards, hippopotamus, red pandas and gorillas – just to mention a few.
Useful Info:
- Location: Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona
- Website: www.zoobarcelona.cat
- Timings: Opens at 10:00 every day.
CosmoCaixa
The CosmoCaixa, a science museum that attracts both kids and grown-ups, is one of the most thrilling and largest museums (more than 30,000 m²) in Barcelona and all of Spain. This hands-on museum offers physical, technical, geological, chemical and mathematical experiments and with its permanent exhibitions such as “Flooded Forest,” “Geological Wall,” “Room of Matter” and Planetarium, can keep nearly anyone busy for hours. It is easy to spend some hours here but make sure not to miss “The Amazon Jungle” with 30m tall trees and animals from tropical regions.
Useful Info:
- Location: Carrer d’Isaac Newton 26, Barcelona
- Website: www.cosmocaixa.com
- Timings: Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 20:00.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona’s “green lung”, is not only the most central park in the city but also a park that includes a zoo, a lake, a large fountain and several museums. In the centre of the park you will even find the building where the Catalan Parliament is seated. So take a walk and enjoy this very lusciously green and well-maintained park.
Useful Info:
- Location: Passeig de Picasso 21, Barcelona
- Timings: Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 22:30
Gaudi Experiencia
Nothing like the audiovisual projections we normally see. It’s like being inside Gaudí’s head, understanding what inspired him in a way that is easy to understand and magical. With the audiovisual 4D you can travel inside the creative mind of Gaudi. Interactive walls with 9 languages put the life and works of the genius architect at your fingertips.
Useful Info:
- Location: Carrer de Larrard 41, Barcelona
- Website: www.gaudiexperiencia.com
- Timings: April to September: Monday – Sunday 10:30 – 19:00. October to March: Monday – Sunday 11:30 – 16:00.
El Born Cultural Centre
11 September 1714 marks a crucial chapter in the history of Catalonia: the fierce siege of the Bourbonic troops of King Philip V, which ended in the capitulation of Barcelona and the loss of Catalan liberties. El Born Cultural Centre shows the vivacious, dynamic Barcelona of 1700 and the events of 1714 in the context of the War of the Spanish Succession. The archaeological site contains the remains of the neighbourhood demolished by King Philip V of Spain.
Useful Info:
- Location: Plaça Comercial 12, Barcelona
- Website: www.elbornculturaimemoria.barcelona.cat/en/the-center/
- Timings: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 19:00. Sunday 10:00 – 20:00.
Barcelona Segway Tour
Go on a private Segway tour of Barcelona and explore the beautiful city in style. Never tried a Segway? Don’t worry, it is as safe and easy as walking!
Useful Info:
- Location: Passeig de Lluís Companys, Barcelona
- Website: www.bcn.travel/tours/barcelona-segway-tour
- Timings: Starts at 10:00, 12:30, 17:00.
Cardona Castle
Cardona is a medieval village just one hour away from Barcelona. Come and see Cardona, go inside its Salt Mountain, a unique place in the world, and visit the castle that was the residence of the wealthiest lineage of Catalonia, the Cardonas. Also visit the Medieval Centre and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the town.
Useful Info:
- Location: Lloc Parador Nacional Turisme 506, Cardona
- Website: www.cardonaturisme.cat
Sitges
This town, only 35 km south of Barcelona, is a popular day trip destination for visitors to the city. Come here to have a lazy day on the beach or stroll through the cosy town. You will find trendy shops, beautiful sights and delightful restaurants. If you choose to stay overnight do not miss the well-reputed nightlife.
Useful Info:
- Location: Sitges
- Website: www.visitsitges.com/en/
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